Fiefs Vendéens

France · AOC · Loire Valley

Styles

Natural factors

Calcaires de Vix, often covered by Tertiary fluvial sandy-gravelly deposits; shallow, moderately fertile acid brown soils.
Slopes of 3–5%, oriented south/south-west, intersected by the hydrographic network (Lay, Yon, Vendée, marais d'Olonne).
Temperate oceanic climate: mean annual temperature ~12–12.5 °C, 1,430 hours of sunshine June–September, with a pronounced summer rainfall deficit.
18 communes in southern Vendée; the vineyard is divided into 5 units: Brem, Mareuil, Chantonnay (Lay/Yon valleys), Vix and Pissotte (Vendée hillsides).

Human factors

In the 16th–17th centuries, chenin dominated in white; négrette and pinot noir in red and rosé, under various local names ('Ragoûtant', 'Folle Noire'). (via Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0)
The label 'Anciens Fiefs du Cardinal' (1953) refers to Richelieu, appointed Bishop of Luçon in 1608 and a promoter of the wines of 'Mareuil'.

Product characteristics

Whites: freshness, minerality, floral and fruity notes; in Brem, a subtle flavour reminiscent of apple.
Reds from Brem/Pissotte: ruby to garnet in colour, round and refined; Mareuil/Chantonnay/Vix: deeper colour, more structured on the palate.

Facts drawn from the cahier's terroir-link section (Lien au terroir) by automatic interpretation — see the source.